Democrat Nancy Barton during The League of Women Voters of Greenwich sponsored debate between Barton and Republican state Sen. incumbent L. Scott Frantz for the 36th District seat, at Greenwich Town Hall, Wednesday night, Sept. 29, 2010. less

Democrat Nancy Barton during The League of Women Voters of Greenwich sponsored debate between Barton and Republican state Sen. incumbent L. Scott Frantz for the 36th District seat, at Greenwich Town Hall, ... more

State senator L. Scott Frantz, R-36th, faces off in The League of Women Voters of Greenwich sponsored debate against the Democratic challenger, Nancy Barton, right, at Greenwich Town Hall, Wednesday night, Sept. 29, 2010. Moderating the debate is Jean Rabinow an administrator for the League of Women Voters. less

State senator L. Scott Frantz, R-36th, faces off in The League of Women Voters of Greenwich sponsored debate against the Democratic challenger, Nancy Barton, right, at Greenwich Town Hall, Wednesday night, ... more

It's all about the economy, but incumbent Republican state Sen. L. Scott Frantz and his Democratic challenger Nancy Barton differed on other issues, including the state's lack of funding for the Nathaniel Witherell nursing home.

Earlier this summer, the state Department of Social Services withdrew its offer to issue a certificate of need for the project, citing a bleak financial situation. The certificate of need would have included a $16 million increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates over 20 years, defraying some of the construction costs.

Barton said it is "absolutely necessary" to support the nursing home and accused the four-member all-Republican Greenwich delegation to the state house of not being able to lobby effectively for the town.

"When we needed help they were unable to get the town the help they needed," she said.

Thursday, the four candidates running to be elected in two of the town's three state Representative seats will debate. The debate begins at 7:30 p.m. and will also be held at the Town Hall Meeting Room.

Lile Gibbons, R-150th District, is unopposed and will not be part of the debate.

The state's fiscal health was a consistent theme for Frantz, who repeatedly said the state is facing deficits of up to $4 billion annually in the coming years.

"We are in a world of hurt," he said, warning that a recovery could take longer in Connecticut compared to other states.

They also differed on transportation, as Barton said more has to be done on improving mass transit.

"That's the single best way of reducing traffic on I-95. It's getting people off the highway and on to mass transit," Barton said.

While Frantz agreed trying to reduce congestion should be a goal, he said it runs up against reality.

"People love their cars. We're Americans. It's a very easy thing to get in our car and go to the destination of your choice," he said.

Barton backed alternative energy sources as a way to reduce the state's energy dependence.

Frantz said developing alternative energy technologies like photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity are more expensive than traditional fossil fuels. Funding those programs to back those technologies may be too expensive than the state can afford.

"These are noble goals ... but we should look at realistic solutions," Frantz said.

He said photovoltaic cells costs 44 cents to produce one kilowatt of power compared with one and four cents respectively for oil and natural gas.

"There is more to energy than simply the cost," Barton said. "It may be true but it is shortsighted and we have to find a way around it."

Neither candidate supported the idea of a state real estate tax with an exemption for properties assessed at less then $500,000. Frantz said that would be clearly targeted at Fairfield County.

Frantz was more open to public funds going to nonpublic schools, such as urban charter schools, while Barton drew a much harder line against it.

Also, each pledged to fight for more jobs for the state with Frantz advocating cutting taxes and regulations, while Barton said it's non-tax expenses such as transportation and energy that is hitting businesses.

Barton strongly supported conserving open space even in tough times noting her grandfather, H. Allen Barton, the last Democrat to represent Greenwich in the state Senate 80 years ago, played a role in the town purchasing Greenwich Point.

Frantz said the state may have difficult finding that money but said public-private partnerships can work in conserving open space.

-- Staff Writer Frank MacEachern can be reached at frank.maceachern@scni.com or 203-625-4434.